Genesis 3 – Lessons From Adam and Eve’s Original Sin

Introduction: Genesis chapter three provides the explanation for the origin of mankind’s downfall after Eve gave into Satan’s temptations and Adam followed her example. Satan is the enemy of every person. Before Adam and Eve sinned, he led a third of the angels in rebellion against God. In the book of Revelation, he is revealed to be the serpent who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden: “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Rev. 12:9). “And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;” (Rev. 20:2). Ezekiel further reveals that he was an anointed cherub on God’s holy mountain before his beauty caused him to desire to be lifted higher than God: “13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; . . . 14 You were the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; . . . 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you . . . 17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; . . .” (Ezek. 28:13-17). Isaiah also reveals that his beauty caused him to desire to be like God: “12 How you have fallen from heaven, o star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, . . . 13 But you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. 15 Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit.” (Is. 14:12-15). Having been expelled from heaven, his goal is to prevent as many people as possible from getting to heaven. Perhaps he is under the deluded belief that if he can cause enough people to be prevented from getting to heaven, he could make demands upon God. Yet, he is powerless against God, and his plans will fail. His schemes also never change. From his temptations against Eve, the Bible reveals seven lessons about Satan’s schemes for deceiving mankind and breaking its fellowship with God.

First, from Satan’s attempts to twist God’s Word, God reveals that Satan will seek to deceive you by twisting or manipulating His Word. Second, from Satan’s manipulation of Eve after she failed to correctly repeat God’s Word, God reveals that Satan is more likely to deceive you when you do not know the Word. Third, from Satan’s use of bold lies and half-truths, God reveals that Satan will also use bold lies and half-truths to try to deceive you. Fourth, through Eve’s covetousness and Adam and Eve’s rebellion, God reveals that Satan will also seek to seduce you with covetousness and rebellion to break your fellowship with God. Fifth, from God’s gentle questioning of Adam and Eve, He reveals that He is slow to anger and quick to forgive. Yet, through His questions of Adam and Eve, He reveals that He desires repentance when you sin. Sixth, through God’s judgments, He reveals that He seeks to restore mankind from the separation and broken fellowship caused by sin. Finally, from God’s provision for Adam and Eve after they sinned, He reveals that He will never leave or forsake His people when they sin.

1. Satan Will Cause Many to Sin by Twisting God’s Word. Gen. 3:1.

West Window at St Mary de Castro, United Kingdom[1]

[1] Eve tempted by the Serpent | Serpent, Painting, Photo sharing (pinterest.com)

2. Satan Will Cause Many to Sin When They Do Not Know God’s Word. Gen. 3:2-3.

3. Satan Causes Many to Sin Through Bold Lies and Half-Truths. Gen. 3:4.

4. Satan Seeks to Break Your Fellowship with God Through Rebellion. Gen. 3:6-7.

Jan Brueghel the Elder 1568 – 1625 AD Paradise and the Fall[1]

[1] Art and the Bible - Genesis 3 - Old Testament (artbible.info)

Michelangelo Buonarroti 1475 – 1564 AD (The Fall)2

5. God Seeks Your Repentance When You Sin. Gen. 3:8-13.

6. God’s Judgments Seek to Restore Mankind from Sin. Gen. 3:14-19.

Source[1]

[1] https://www.pinterest.com/pin/394768723557924272/

7. Even When You Sin, God Will Never Stop Loving You. Gen. 3:20-24.

The Expulsion from Paradise[1]

[1] The Fall of Man in Genesis 3: Bible Meaning Explained (christianity.com)


  1. Joseph Smith– King Follett Sermon, Ensign, April 1971↩︎

  2. Gen. 5:22, 24; 6:9; 17:1; 24:40; 48:15.↩︎

  3. Kenneth Mathews, “The New American Commentary: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture” Genesis 1-11:26, Vol. 1A, (B&H Publishing Group Nashville Tenn. 1996) p. 240-1.↩︎

  4. First Fruits of Zion, Torah Club, Vol. 2, Shadows of the Messiah, Genesis, B’Reisheet, p. 15.↩︎

  5. Kenneth Mathews, p. 243.↩︎